Ghost TownUSA

Ghost Town · Florida

Cornwell

A ghost town of unknown status in Highlands County, Florida.

By the Ghost Town USA research team Last reviewed September 2026

Cornwell ghost town, Florida
Plate I — Cornwell, FloridaPhoto: Ahharrell (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Wikimedia Commons

Boomtowns are built on optimism; ghost towns are what's left when it runs out. Welcome to Cornwell. Grant Cornwell is an American educator, academic, and liberal education advocate.

Highlands County holds 5 documented ghost towns, including Fort Basinger, Hicoria, Old Venus — Cornwell keeps them company on the map.

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The story of Cornwell

Florida's ghost towns are railroad towns Flagler built, 1920s land-boom subdivisions that busted, and phosphate and turpentine camps.

Grant Cornwell is an American educator, academic, and liberal education advocate. He served as the 15th president of Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida, from 2015 to 2025, following his role as president of the College of Wooster in Ohio. Previously, he was vice president and professor of philosophy at St. Lawrence University in Canton, New York.

Cornwell sold the one thing the country around it didn't have: water.

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What you'll find today

The on-the-ground condition of Cornwell is unverified — it's listed here with unknown status. That could mean standing buildings, or an empty field. Go prepared for either, and consider sharing what you find so the record improves.

Nobody has confirmed the access situation, so treat any visit as reconnaissance: verify land ownership first, and be ready to admire from the road.

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Getting there

Here's the honest truth: access to Cornwell is unverified. We couldn't confirm whether the site sits on public land, private property, or something in between — so verify land ownership and local rules before visiting, and respect private property at all times. The mapped point for Cornwell is roughly 27.3787, -81.0967 — use it as a starting point and cross-reference a current topographic map before leaving pavement.

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Good to know

Ghost-town etiquette is simple: take only photographs. Removing artifacts is illegal on public lands and disrespectful everywhere else — and on federal land it can be a serious offense.

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Survey Map

Approximate position — verify access locally before visiting

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Cornwell FAQs

01Where is Cornwell located?
Cornwell is in Highlands County, Florida, mapped near 27.3787, -81.0967.
02What county is Cornwell in?
Cornwell sits in Highlands County, Florida. See our full guide to ghost towns in Highlands County for its neighbors.
03What is the history of Cornwell?
Grant Cornwell is an American educator, academic, and liberal education advocate. He served as the 15th president of Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida, from 2015 to 2025, following his role as president of the College of Wooster in Ohio.
04What remains at Cornwell today?
The on-the-ground condition of Cornwell is unverified — it's listed here with unknown status. That could mean standing buildings, or an empty field. Go prepared for either, and consider sharing what you find so the record improves.
05Can you visit Cornwell?
Here's the honest truth: access to Cornwell is unverified. We couldn't confirm whether the site sits on public land, private property, or something in between — so verify land ownership and local rules before visiting, and respect private property at all times. The mapped point for Cornwell is roughly 27.3787, -81.0967 — use it as a starting point and cross-reference a current topographic map before leaving pavement.

Sources: account based on Wikipedia (“Grant Cornwell”), CC BY-SA.

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More in Highlands County

All 5 ghost towns in Highlands County →